The area was once home to many families engaged in rice noodle making, but only a handful continue the craft today. To keep the tradition alive, Huynh Huu Hoai, owner of Sau Hoai workshop, has found a new approach by combining production with sightseeing and culinary experiences.
    |
 |
|
Huynh Huu Sau in An Binh ward, Can Tho city skillfully spreads rice batter into thin sheets, preserving the traditional noodle-making technique. |
|
|
 |
|
Visitors take part in several stages of the rice noodle-making process, gaining firsthand experience of the traditional craft. |
One of the workshop's main attractions is its colorful rice noodles, made using natural ingredients such as gac fruit, pandan leaves, butterfly pea flowers, magenta plant leaves and beetroot. Besides sampling the products, visitors can watch the traditional noodle-making process firsthand and appreciate the skill and meticulous work involved.
|
|
 |
|
Visitors try removing steamed rice sheets and placing them on drying racks. |
“My family has been making rice noodles for three generations. I started learning the craft as a child, so I know how demanding each step can be. Everything is done by hand, from scooping and mixing the batter to spreading it into thin sheets. Every stage requires close attention. I want to preserve the craft for future generations while introducing machinery to help it develop further,” Hoai said.
Combining traditional production with tourism is a new direction that requires craftspeople to learn and adapt. With support and guidance from travel companies and specialized agencies, Hoai's family has gradually developed a model that allows visitors to tour the workshop and take part in noodle-making activities, bringing the traditional craft closer to tourists.
|
|
 |
|
Rice noodles are naturally colored using gac fruit, pandan leaves, butterfly pea flowers, magenta plant leaves and beetroot. |
British tourist James Wilson, who visited Sau Hoai workshop and tried his hand at making rice noodles, was delighted by the experience.
“I found it fascinating to see how the noodles and other local products are made. The people here are very friendly and enthusiastic about explaining each step of the process. It has been a memorable experience during my trip to Viet Nam,” he said.
By combining traditional rice noodle production with hands-on tourism, Sau Hoai workshop is introducing the craft to more visitors. The initiative not only promotes local products, but also gives younger generations an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the value of traditional craftsmanship, helping preserve Can Tho's distinctive culinary heritage.
Translated by Chung Anh